Kéret

Kåret is a Danish past participle derived from the verb kåre, meaning to crown or to elect to a title or position. In modern Danish, it is used to describe someone or something that has received formal recognition through a crown, an election, or an official decree. The term often appears in news reports, sports, pageants, and awards, signaling a ceremonial or officially sanctioned outcome.

Usage and nuance

Kåret typically indicates a definite result: someone has been chosen and recognized in a formal sense. It is commonly followed by til or som, as in blev kåret til vinder (was crowned as the winner) or blev kåret som konge (was crowned as king). The phrase can also be used more broadly to denote election to a position, such as formand eller medlem, depending on context. While kåre can be translated as crown or elect, kåret as its past participle emphasizes the completed act of recognition.

Etymology and related terms

The verb kåre stems from old Scandinavian and Germanic linguistic roots associated with crowning or selecting. In contemporary Danish, related expressions include udnævne (appoint) and vælge (elect). Kåret carries a ceremonial or formal connotation that distinguishes it from more quotidian terms of selection.

Examples

- Hun blev kåret til Årets lærer.

- Holdet blev kåret som mestre.

- Efter afstemningen blev han kåret til formand.

Notes

While kåret is most common in Danish, similar forms and concepts exist in other Scandinavian languages, where equivalent verbs convey crownings or formal recognitions.